During the Cleveland Browns' voluntary minicamp, Shedeur Sanders spoke to the media. A reporter asked about the shift from his star status at the Colorado Buffaloes to now becoming a Browns backup. 

One person jumped to Sanders’ defense immediately. It was no one else but his Hall-of-Fame legend dad, Deion Sanders.

"Lawd JESUS we just got back started & how u gon tell us who we are? That's a Sanders you're talking to baby @shedeursanders #Dad," posted Deion Sanders.

The quarterback competition in Cleveland has officially kicked off with the voluntary minicamp for the 2026 season. Shedeur Sanders is set to compete with Deshaun Watson, and many believe the second-year quarterback won't win the starting job.

Speaking to the reporters at the camp, Shedeur responded to taking time to "be the man" in Cleveland just like he was with Colorado.

“I feel like I was the man. I don't let nobody else dictate how I feel about myself," said Shedeur. "If you allow that, then you livin' for the wrong reason. I know who I am as a person as an individual, and just being a child of God."

The 24-year-old QB dismissed the idea that his current backup role defines him as a player.

"I can't let nobody dictate how I can feel about myself. And if I allowed that, then I'm not mentally strong. I got to be able to be mentally strong in every situation that life throws at you," Shedeur added.

Sanders had a record-breaking tenure with the Colorado Buffaloes. He led the Big 12 conference with 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 74% completion percentage.

Colorado retired his jersey at the 2025 spring game, etching his name forever in the Buffs' history. 

Sanders was undoubtedly “the man” at Colorado. Now with the Cleveland Browns, he is putting in the needed work that makes him the man they need, working alongside head coach Todd Monken. 

Browns’ coach Todd Monken’s honest opinion on Shedeur Sanders’ mobility gap

Speaking to sports analyst Kevin Clark, the Browns’ new coach shared his honest opinion about Shedeur’s performance on April 16.

“I think you see a player that is confident in his skillset. So when you see that playmaking ability and inner confidence, you say, ‘Okay, there’s something to work with there,’” said Monken.

The head coach stated that maybe some years ago, the league would have called Shedeur athletic. But at present, while Shedeur is athletic, he lacks the mobility of a quarterback compared to players like Lamar Jackson.

Sanders can move but needs space and time to build momentum. 

“Now it’s going to be our fault if we can’t develop them,” Monken added.

He shifted some responsibility to himself and the coaching staff to build on Sanders’ confidence and playmaking ability. 

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore